Pathways to Education Kingston celebrates success of Rotary Global Grant Project

Pathways to Education (Pathways) Kingston recently announced the successful completion of its three-year campaign to
raise $1-million to support its Facilitator of Alumni Relations (FAR) program. This huge accomplishment means that the
FAR program will be able to continue sustainably into the future. Thanks to the support of a three-year Rotary Global
Grant, Pathways was able to offer uninterrupted FAR programming throughout the fundraising campaign, and is hosting
an evening of celebration to mark this incredible success on Wednesday, October 9.

FAR is a program developed in 2015 to help support graduates from Pathways through the difficult transition to post-
secondary education, training, or meaningful employment. Today, more than 65 per cent of Kingston Pathways

graduates access FAR supports, and the program has increased local retention rates at post-secondary schools from 36
per cent to 80 per cent.
As FAR is outside the scope of Pathways Canada funding, the program has existed thanks to series of non-renewable
grants. While Pathways sought to meet its endowment fundraising goal to support the program for the longer term,
they were in need of financial support to continue their incredible work in the interim.
Roger Romero, Manager of Youth Services with Kingston Community Health Centres, says, “FAR would have very likely
ceased to exist if Rotary Cataraqui Kingston and Rotary International had not stepped in. We had maxed out community
grants. We are incredibly grateful to Rotary for seeing and supporting the long-term vision of this project. The most
beneficial piece in this partnership is the strong relationship built between the clubs and Pathways /KCHC. We can now
respond to needs faster due to close connection.”
The relationships that have been built over this time will certainly not end now that the grant period is over. Pathways
will continue its connection with Rotary Cataraqui Kingston and other Rotary clubs in a variety of ways: experiential
learning opportunities for Pathways students, community service exchanges for students, increasing numbers of
Rotarians volunteering with Pathways, as well as continuing Rotary’s sponsorship of Pathways’ annual graduation
celebration.
Romero adds, “There are many ways this relationship will continue to grow and evolve. Leveraging the power of
mentorship and intergenerational relationships for Pathways graduates, Rotarians can hire or refer alumni. One day, we
anticipate that alumni will become Rotarians and complete the cycle. Not only that, we hope to replicate this successful
model throughout KFL&A.”
Rotary Global Grants often support developing countries with projects like building washrooms in schools in El Salvador
or buying farming equipment for people in Kenya. Romero says, “Our Global Grant was supported by many clubs in India
including significant contributions from the Madras club. We are thrilled to have their former club president, Dr. Vijaya
Bharathi Rangarajan, attending the event. This project was truly a global effort!”